The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-10-08
MAD JACK.
Milliamsport Breakfast Table,

man-of wars men years az as John Perceville, commanded the United States frigate "Constitution" on the Chinese seas in the thirties. He was & strict disciplinarian and all under him had to 'dance to the tune of his fddle," officers and sailors alike. In those days the sailors on board of man-of- war had three "tots" of grog day, and often "Mad Jack" would be at the grog tub watching the men taking their ''tots" of grog and would ask if it tasted good. He would then turn like top and go into ais cabin for his ''tot," as his steward said he always did.
 Midshipmen did not have much sway on board the Constitution" The old commander said he was one himself once and knew what their duty was on board ship.
 It is a discipline on board of a man. of-war for the sailors to salute an officer when they meet on the ships deck or on shore, by touching their hat with their hand, and the officers are just as much duty bound to return the salute as the sailor is to give it.
 It happened one day that two of the sailors went on shore and met mid shipman. They saluted him but he did not return the salute. They were then going from the boat they had come on shore in.
 On their way back they met him again and passed him without a salute. "Middy" was wrathy and went on board the ship and reported them. When the men came on board the ship they were stopped at the gangway.
 The old commander came on deck and asked them if they were msn-of- war's-men. The spokesman replied that they were
 "Well," said Mad Jack, ,""don't you know enough to salute an officer when you meet him?"
 I've do, sir, and always have done so."
 Did you salute Mr. Steel when you met him on shore today"
 "We did, sir" was the reply from both of them.
 "Otficer of the deck call Mir. Steel" the commander said.
 MT. Steel came on deck and saluted the captain.
 Are these the men who did not salute you on shore to-day?"
 "Yes, sir, they are."
 "How is it, my men, you told me you did salute him?"
 Beg pardon, sir, we did salute him when we were going from the boat and he did not return the salute when we were coming back we met him again and neither of us saluted." "How is that, sir? Here are two against one Why did you not salute the first time you met them? Did you do it, sir?"
 "I cannot remember, sir"
 ssGo to your duty, men"
 Then turning he said: "Mr. Steel, consider yourself suspended until such time as l return you to your duty."
 That's the Eind of a man "Nad Jack" was.
 One day the quartermaster, with his spy glass under his arm, was walking the quarter deck. It is his duty to keep a lookout with his glass and report to the officer of the deck if there is any sail in sight or land. Mad Jack" was walking the opposite side of the deck. The quar- termaster had stopped and was lean- ing over the taffrail seemingly in doze. Mad Jack" had his eye on him and spoke to him twice before he answered.
 The quartermaster turned and said !: Did you speak to me, sir?"
 ''I did, but don't want to have to wake man that is on duty. Go to the gangway, sir"
 He then told the officer of the deck to send man to his, the quartermas- ter's place. He went to the gangway followed by Mad Jack," who asked him what his name was.
 "My name is Cobb, sir"
 sCobb, Cobb. Bowswain, give him dozen with the colt and see if there are any stray kernels come oil of him."
 Having received his dozen, HMad JackD asked if he thought he could attend to his duty without . dozen of the tickiers-meaning the cat-o'-nine- tails.